Cycling will be my new hobby, once I get a bike, since I already love riding my cheap 25$ hybrid around so much. I'm wondering though, where everyone learns all the know about bike parts and stuff. Like what types of gears/cassettes to use, different types of handlebars, etc. It's all a little overwhelming at first, and I'm asking where everyone went to learn everything they know. Pray tell?

For me it's cause I have been riding for... counts fingers an toes...

36 years.

I've been wrenching on my own bikes and other people's bikes for over 20 years.

And I study... study...and study.

You have to fail some before you really learn what is right for you.

I agree with the above. These days the web and places like this help a lot. I was out of cycling for a while but came back to the touring forum and really got up to speed quickly. I'm just interested in my own stuff, so I can test it out, and what is beyond my interest is for someone else to try. I do buy stuff that other people swear by that I think is crap and test it. Like I don't like Rohloff, on principle, but I bought one to find out who was really right. That was by far my most expensive punt, but I will try stuff that challenges my view otherwise I am just stuck in my prejudices. I wish I could have borrowed the Rohloff though.

Cycling will be my new hobby, once I get a bike, since I already love riding my cheap 25$ hybrid around so much. I'm wondering though, where everyone learns all the know about bike parts and stuff. Like what types of gears/cassettes to use, different types of handlebars, etc. It's all a little overwhelming at first, and I'm asking where everyone went to learn everything they know. Pray tell?

The single most complete source for general cycling that I've found is the articles and glossary at Sheldon Brown's site. History and all. Recommended to all.

wp

His stuff is great, but I wouldn't call it a framebuilding resource particularly, of course we aren't really talking about that either relative to the OP. As far a framebuilding is concerned the frameforum.net is the best, and this place has a different vibe which is useful at times. And then beyond that metalworking sites can be very useful.

Yeah, OP said nothing about building--I assumed moderators would move the whole thread, hence no reference to building resources.

And yes, different vibe is the rule at the frameforum. We're not there to talk about riding and the newest offering from whatever big bike company.

There are plenty of sites for that...and as other posters have said-nothing beats experience. I've been adult-cycling for 21 years. Find an LBS or club that hosts group rides and join right in. Most folks will be glad to help and beware the buttheads--there'll be one or two of them...just like everywhere else.